COMMUNITY
ST. MARKS DISCUSSES RVS IN THE CITY
The St. Marks City Commission held a workshop on recreational vehicles following their regular monthly meeting on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 9. Mayor Paul Sheddan said that he envisioned the workshop to be an educational forum as three new commissioners were sworn-in last month.
The workshop, which mainly focused on recreational vehicles located on residential or vacant residential lots, began with City Attorney Ron Mowrey sharing some rules and regulations for RVs in St. Marks.
“In the City of St. Marks,” Mowrey said, “we are bound by certain state and federal laws and codes that we have to comply with.” The city can make decisions regarding RVs, but there are limitations on what can be done – for example, flood ordinances must be followed for all properties in St. Marks.
Regarding residential properties, Mowrey mentioned that generally, citizens can store RVs on their residential properties, but they cannot live in them – this includes not being able to hook up to sewer, water, and electricity. Mowrey and Sheddan did note that case-by-case, temporary (6-month, potentially renewable) exemptions to the restrictions can be granted by the commission for medical reasons or during the construction/renovation of a home, and that an emergency resolution can be made to loosen restrictions in the case of a natural disaster. Individuals can only live in an RV on property zoned as a commercial travel trailer park (CTTP), and no RVs can be stored or lived in on vacant residential lots.
Sheddan noted that historically, some individuals and their RVs were approved for non-conforming uses prior to the regulations being created, but that the approval does not transfer to another person.
Sheddan and City Manager Zoe Mansfield said those not in compliance are sent a letter and fined. Mansfield said that usually there is no response to those letters and fines often go unpaid.
Many citizens asked questions and shared their concerns during the standing-room only workshop. Some common threads throughout the conversation included requests that regulations for RVs in St. Marks be clearly defined in writing, any non-conforming exceptions be evaluated and potentially noted in writing, and rules and regulations be applied and enforced consistently for all residents.
In other news, topics discussed during the regular meeting included:
• Stan West, owner of Riverside Café, shared plans for a farmer’s market-style Community Day event that a committee of St. Marks residents came up with to help bring more people to St. Marks. The committee plans to start the Community Day in May – potentially Saturday, May 13 or consistently the fourth Saturday every month, and eventually be able to organize a larger event, like a Beer Fest. The group plans to form a 501(c)3 called Discover St. Marks with the goal of organizing multiple events throughout the year and donating funds raised to community organizations.
• Mansfield gave an update on various projects including the improvements being made to the Wakulla River Park.The city has the funding for the project, but it is waiting on the state to send a notice to proceed. Planned improvements to the park include a children’s playground, a water fountain, and a walking trail.
• Some residents expressed concern about speeding along the main road. Options proposed included notifying the sheriff’s office to get a flashing speed limit sign placed by the road. City Commissioner Steve Remke asked if the Department of Transportation could potentially be approached in regards to installing traffic calming devices as the road is a state road.